Justin Tausig’s Post

"Watch where we're going." Whether it's Cindy Ngamba's fierce stare, Mohammad Rashnonezhad's quiet conviction, Eyeru Gebru's intense concentration, or Perina Lokure Nakang's utter dedication - one thing the athletes (boxer, judoka, cyclist, athlete) in this video have in common is a steely determination to achieve, stun and surpass. These are four out of the 37 athletes forming the contingent of the 2024 Olympics' most remarkable team - the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. This team is reflective of the hopes and dreams of millions of refugees worldwide, but more importantly, a platform for the displaced to assert their sense of self, to exercise their choice and make the most out of their reality. Their participation is a statement to all those watching - that it matters little where they came from. What is of value is where they are going. It is an appeal to allow them to shape their own identity, defining themselves by their athletic prowess and their unrelenting fighting spirit. The team has its beginnings when the IOC asked host countries to identify refugees with sporting talent within their country. Thus, for the very first time, the 2016 Rio Olympics had 10 refugee athletes participate. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw 29 participants officially represent the IOC Refugee Olympics Team, and Paris 2024 breaks records with 37 participants competing in 12 sports. These athletes were selected from the Refugee Athletes Scholarship Program, funded by the Olympic Solidarity Initiative and overseen by the Olympic Refugee Foundation. The National Olympic Committees (NOCs) host the athletes. Other wonderful firsts at this edition of the Olympics: -> Boxer Cindy Ngamba won the first-ever medal for the team (will battle Atheyna Bylon for the gold tomorrow🥇) -> The Refugee Olympic Team now has its own emblem and pin design that unifies the athletes✨ -> The IOC has launched the '1 in 100 million' campaign to celebrate the team. Check out the video: https://lnkd.in/dDRZ3dR4 Their site also has a campaign playbook that breaks down the branding process! You can show support by following their handle @refugeeolympicteam on Instagram 🙌 I don't know about you, but I'm definitely watching.

For Rose Lokonyen, sport gave her hope. She, and the first Refugee Olympic Team, sought to give that back to others displaced by violence, conflict and war. As the Worldwide Management Consulting Partner of the IOC, we’re using our global scale, deep insights, and understanding of innovation to track the impact of firsts that have happened at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Explore #TheFirstEffect to see how firsts move the world forward. https://deloi.tt/3zFuKkx

Spotlight on the Olympic Refugee Team: Inspiring Stories Ahead of Paris 2024 🇫🇷 Following Trivandi’s recent “Beat the Torch” challenge, where we raised funds for the Olympic Refuge Foundation, we are excitedly following this year’s Refugee Olympic Team. With just four days to go until Paris 2024, let's take a moment to share some interesting facts you might not know: 📈 Record Participation: 36 athletes, the largest number since the team's inception in 2016. 🏋♀️ Diverse Representation: These athletes come from 11 different countries and will compete in 12 sports. 🌍 Global Symbolism: The team represents over 100 million displaced people worldwide. ❤️ Unique Emblem: For the first time, the Refugee Olympic Team will compete under its own emblem, designed to symbolise unity and the shared experiences of displaced individuals. 🤝 Support and Funding: Many athletes on the team have been supported through the Refugee Athletes Scholarship Programme, managed by the Olympic Refuge Foundation. These athletes, amongst all others competing, represent the true spirit of the Olympics and we can’t wait to watch them compete. Which past or present Olympic athlete has inspired you the most? 📸 Photo Credit: Refugee Olympic Team #Paris2024 #OlympicRefugeeTeam #Inspiration #Unity #OlympicSpirit

Sport has the power to transform societies, promote unity, African integration and peace. As our African athletes represent the continent on the world stage at the ongoing #Paris2024 Olympic Games, we urge you to like and follow our page #AfricanUnionSportsCouncil, a specialized technical office of the #AfricaUnion responsible for sports, to learn more about #SportsDevelopment and #SportsThroughDevelopment at continental level. Contributing to the #AfricanUnion #Agenda2063 #TheAfricaWeWant, through a combined effort of the AUSC, AUSC 5 Development Regions and Members States, we aim to build a stronger, united #Africa whose athletes are not just competitors, but ambassadors of unity and peace. Read more about the AU Policy for Sustainable Development of Sport in Africa through the 5 pillars of a #United #Active #Winning #Innovative #Sustainable #Africa. https://lnkd.in/dwrN-PtH

🏅🕊️ How do the #Olympics help support SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions)? ➖ Olympic Truce: rooted in ancient tradition, it calls for a global ceasefire during the Games. This symbolic act promotes dialogue and understanding between nations, even amidst ongoing conflicts ➖ Union Through Sports: the tournament brings together athletes from all around the globe, fostering a spirit of friendly competition and cultural exchange, which can help bridge divides and build bridges of cooperation between countries ➖ Promoting Respect: the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect are embedded in the competition, encouraging fair play and sportsmanship. Such concepts that can translate into promoting peaceful conflict resolution and respect for the rule of law ➖ Inspiring Social Change: athletes often use the Olympic platform to advocate for social justice and peacebuilding initiatives, and their stories can inspire work towards a more peaceful and just world 🚧 Challenges remain, as the idealistic vision of the Olympics doesn't always translate perfectly to reality. Geopolitical tensions can still overshadow the Games, and conflicts can resume shortly after the truce ends. Also, doping scandals and corruption can undermine the message of fair play and strong institutions But by fostering dialogue, promoting respect and inspiring social change, the Olympics can contribute to a more peaceful and just world, aligning with the core principles of #SDG16. Have you ever witnessed the unifying power of sports bring people together? Is there a particular example from the Olympics that you can remember? We would love to hear it! #GlobalSouth #Africa #Asia #LatinAmerica #SDGs #thinktanks #research #policy #evidence #peace #justice #institutions #truce #conflict #culture #cooperation #respect #fairplay #sportsmanship #socialjustice #peacebuilding 

At Rio 2016, the very first Refugee Olympic Team competed for more than just medals, helping inspire hope for millions of others displaced by violence, conflict, and war. As the Worldwide Management Consulting Partner of the International Olympic Committee – IOC, we’re using our global scale, deep insights, and understanding of innovation to track the impact of firsts that have happened at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Explore #TheFirstEffect to see how firsts move the world forward. https://deloi.tt/4bzgDul

This is why Firsts are so important and how sport can help change the world positively

The best of what sport can be.

🚣♂️🌍 Beyond Borders: The Olympic Debate Over What Defines a Refugee Athlete 🌍🚣♂️ The recent stance of the Cuban Olympic Committee demanding the exclusion of canoeist Fernando Dayán Jorge from the Paris 2024 Olympic Refugee Team has sparked widespread discussions. As someone personally connected to the Cuban diaspora, I find this situation particularly poignant. Jorge’s public criticisms of the Cuban government highlight the intersection of sports, personal freedom, and international diplomacy. The inclusion of athletes like Jorge on the Refugee Olympic Team—originally formed to highlight the plight of refugees—raises important questions about the criteria for being considered a refugee in sports. It challenges us to think beyond traditional scenarios of war, considering those escaping other forms of strife. This situation invites us to rethink how sports can serve as a sanctuary for those seeking new beginnings and underscores the need for a broader definition of “refugee” that encompasses various forms of displacement and insecurity. 🤔 How can the Olympic spirit of unity be better leveraged to support all athletes, particularly those who find themselves at the crossroads of personal upheaval and international attention? Let’s discuss how we can foster a more inclusive environment in global sports. https://lnkd.in/eECB_U6Q #Olympics2024, #RefugeeOlympicTeam, #SportsDiplomacy, #HumanRightsInSports, #CubanDiaspora, #OlympicControversy, #GlobalSports, #AthleteRights, #SportsPolitics, #InclusiveSports

As Qatar bids for the 2036 Olympic Games, it's essential to recall the human rights concerns from past Olympic preparations, including worker exploitation and women's rights issues. As global standards for social responsibility in supply chains rise, aligning with the growing demand for ethical practices in international sports events. As we approach the Paris 2024 Olympics, let's use Qatar's experience to set higher human rights standards for future hosts, ensuring the Olympic spirit upholds dignity and fairness. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eXYTZa8k #HumanRights #Olympics2036 #EthicalStandards #SocialResponsibility #Paris2024 #HumanRightsStandards #SupplyChainEthics #WorkerExploitation #OlympicPreparations #Qatar2036